Gauze holder



July 9, 1957 R. A.THOMPSON 2,798,597

GAUZE HOLDER Filed Nov. '5, 1954 Fig.2 a0 -26 A (3 28 x 54 l4 V Reuben/1. Thompsm 22 10 INVENTOR.'

United States Patent 'Ofilice 2,798,597 latented July 9, 1 957 GAUZE HOLDER Reuben A. Thompson, Slaton, Tex. Application November 5, 1954, Serial No. 467,051

1 Claim. (Cl. 206-52) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in holders, and more specifically, to an improved gauze holder.

Gauzewhich is used for medical purposes is packed in sanitary containers which are efficiently sealed so that the gauze is delivered to the ultimate consumer in a highly sanitary state. However, when it is desired to dis pense the gauze, it is necessary to break open its sealed container and then dispense the gauze either therefrom or place the gauze in suitable racks so that it may be easily dispensed. In both these operations, the roll of gauze is exposed to the general atmosphere and the gauze actually can no longer be considered sanitary.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved gauze holder which is of such construction whereby it is sealed with respect to the atmosphere for all practical purposes and at the same time, it conveniently holds gauze in position for dispensing.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved gauze holder which includes a pair of guiding flanges for gauze being dispensed, the guiding flanges being provided with suitable means for restraining the movement of gauze therethrough, whereby a cut end of a roll of gauze is retained between the flanges so that it may be easily gripped to further dispense gauze and at the same time prevents the accidental unreeling of the roll of gauze.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel interlock between halves of a gauze holder, the interlock being in the form of projecting portions on end wall halves of the gauze holder receivable in mating recesses in other end Wall halves and having suitable detent means for retaining the projecting portions in the recesses.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved gauze holder which is the subject of this invention and shows the general appearance of the same as viewed from the back thereof;

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 2-2 of Figure 1 and shows a roll of gauze incorporated within the gauze holder;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane indicated by the section line 33 of Figure 1 and shows the interlock relation between halves of end walls of the gauze holder;

Figure 4 is an inverted enlarged fragmentary exploded perspective view of the rear portion of the gauze holder and shows the general details of the hinge structure thereof; and

Figure 5 is an upright enlarged fragmentary top front exploded perspective view of the upper portion of the gauze holder of Figure 1 and shows the details of the interlock between the halves of the top end wall.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated the improved gauze holder which is the subject of this invention, the gauze holder being referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The gauze holder 10 includes a tubular body member 12 which is divided into mating halves 14 and 16. Secured to the upper ends of the halves 14 and 16 are end wall halves 18 and 20, respectively.

The lower end of the body member 12 is also closed by bottom end wall halves 22 and 24, respectively, which correspond to the end wall halves 18 and 20.

Carried by opposed rear edge portions of the halves 14 and 16 of the body member 12 is a hinge structure which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 26. The hinge structure 26 includes an elongated relatively thick part 28 on the half 14 and a matching relatively thick part 30 on the half 16. The thickened part 28 is provided at the opposite ends thereof with a projecting portion 32 which overlies the upper end and underlies the lower end of the thickened part 30. Formed immediately adjacent each of the thickened portions 32 is a recess 34. Received in each recess 34 is a projecting lug portion 36 of the thickened part 30.

In order that the thickened parts 28 and 30 of the hinge structure 26 may be pivotally connected together, there is carried by each of the lugs 36 a pin 38 having a rounded head portion. The pin 38 is selectively receivable within a vertical bore 40 in associated projecting portion 32. It is to be understood that the proportions of the various parts of the hinge structure 26 is such that the pins 38 will snap into their respective bores so that the hinge structure 26 forms a rigid connection between the halves of the gauze holder 10.

In order that the valves of the gauze holder 10 may be properly sealed together, the opposed edge portions of the end wall halves 18 and 2t), and 22 and 24, respectively, are provided with complementary projecting portions 42 and 44, respectively. Thus, when the halves of the gauze holder 10 are in a gauze roll retaining position, the end walls of the gauze holder are continuous and form a seal.

In order that the halves of the gauze holder 10 may against the entrance of foreign matter and at the same time to provide suitable guide means for gauze being dispensed therefrom, there is provided along the opposed edges of the halves 14 and 16 remote from the hinge structure 26 opposed, spaced parallel guide flanges 46 and 48, respectively. The guide flanges 46 and 48 are preferably spaced a distance equal to the thickness of gauze 50 to be dispensed therebetween. It is the intention of the present invention that a roll of gauze, such as the roll 52, be disposed within the gauze holder 10 and the gauze 50 thereof being dispensed between the guide flanges 46 and 43, as is best illustrated in Figure 2. In order that the sliding of the gauze 5! between the guide flanges 46 and 48, as is best illustrated in Figure 2. In provided friction means 54 which may be in the form of adhesive tape or the like secured to the opposed faces of the guide flanges 46 and 48. The friction means 54 may extend around inside of the halves 14 and 16 to prevent the accidental removal thereof during a gauze dispensing operation.

It is readily apparent from the foregoing, that when gauze 50 is being pulled between the guide flanges 46 and 48, the movement thereof will be slightly restrained. This will prevent the accidental unreeling-of the roll 52. Further, when the gauze is cut off adjacent the outer ends of the guide flanges 46 and 48, the end of the roll 52 will be disposed between the guide flanges 46 and 48 for convenient gripping so that further gauze 50 may be dispensed.

In order that the halves of the gauze holder may be retained in interlocked relation with respect to each other, there is formed in vertically aligned corners of the end wall halves 18' and 22 recesses 56. Projecting from opposed corners of the end wall halves 20 and 24 are tabs 58. The tabs 58 are shaped complemental to the recesses 56 and are tightly received therein.

Extending transversely of each recess 56 at the end thereof remote from the tab 58 is a slot 60. Received in each slot through a snapping movement is a projection '62, as is best illustrated in Figure 3. The pro jection 62 together with the slot 6.0 forms a tight interloek' between the pairs of end wall halves I8 and 20, and 22 and 24 so that the halves of the gauze holder 10 are fixedly retained with respect to each other.

It is to be understood that the gauze. holder 10 may be formed of any suitable material. However, it is preferred that the gauze holder be formed of a transparent commercial plastic so that the amount of gauze remaining on the roll may be easily determined and the cleanliness of the gauze holder may be readily ascertained.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modificatins and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and

accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A gauze holder comprising an elongated tubular body member, end walls closing opposite ends of said body member, said body member and said end walls being divided into matching halves, a longitudinal hinge hingedly connecting said halves, opposed edges of said body member remote from said halves being provided with spaced parallel guide flanges adapted to have gauze being dispensed from a roll disposed in said body member guidingly passed therebetween, friction means carried by opposed faces of said flanges for resisting movement of gauze between said flanges, whereby a cut end of gauze is retained between said flanges and accidental unreeling of gauze is prevented, said friction means being in the form of a rough finished cloth and being partially recessed in said guide flanges.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 187,604 Dempster Feb.- 20, 1.877, 573,524 MeMaster Dec. 22, 1896 2,338,425 Jan. 4, 1944 2,398,573 1946 2,423,663 Roe'hrl r r s July 8, 1947 2,460,427 ,Musselman et a1. Feb. 1, 1949 2,575,960 Huntington Nov. 20, 1951 2,613,879 Carr Oct. 14., 1952 ,716 Mills et a1v July 27, 19 2,695,723 Waterman Nov. 30, 19.54

FOREIGN PATENTS 890,217 France Nov. 2 1943 

